Warranty query

[thebrasso]

Hi there, I'm looking to get a new Seat Leon FR TDI at some point having test driven one.

Coming from a 1.8 Focus with 74k on the clock in Jan 2007 (I have done 20k a year since then and mileage is piling up), I have no experience of having a new car. I know Seat offer a 3 yr warranty on new cars, I have read that EU rules mean if the car is correctly serviced at an independent garage this should not affect the warranty, can anybody shed any light?

I do mean the car being serviced at an independent VW/Seat/Skoda specialist near me who would use manufacturer parts and service to manufacturer guidelines. The difference being around 45 per hour labour vs 90 per hour labour from a dealer.

The other thing, I am more than capable of changing things like brake discs and pads myself, if I was to do this and keep receipts (again with manufacturer parts) would this invalidate the warranty? Trying to keep costs down.

 

[clarkeg]

As long as you buy official seat parts and your alternative mechanic is a VAT registered one then there are no issues with warrantys. I checked this out myself by phoning seat with my Leon and I bought three filters from them (air, oil and fuel) for £33 and got my local mechanic to fit them and change the oil for £45. Seat were looking to charge £150 for this lol.

 

[thebrasso]

Right, i'm with you. I think people who know very little about looking after cars assume if it isn't dealer serviced it hasn't been serviced correctly.

I'm just trying to keep costs down, however I think its something I may need to check with SEAT because I am looking at getting a new car with a few grand of deposit and trading it in every three years on the agreement it won't do more than 20k miles.

 

[chrisboyle999]

bear in mind it is a 3yr/60k warranty as you seem to be a high miler.

 

[thebrasso]

bear in mind it is a 3yr/60k warranty as you seem to be a high miler.

Aye, I definitely don't do more than 20k miles per year nearer 18k usually. However its basically leasing the car I would be looking at doing, paying so much per month and trading it in with an agreed value at the end towards another one if that makes sense.

 

[phil3012]

Aye, I definitely don't do more than 20k miles per year nearer 18k usually. However its basically leasing the car I would be looking at doing, paying so much per month and trading it in with an agreed value at the end towards another one if that makes sense.

On a lease you may need to make sure you specify the mileage your planning to do as this will impact the used value.

The only advantage to main dealer servicing is that the manufacturer will sometimes offer a goodwill gesture if something goes just outside warranty.